Think your website is ‘done’? Here’s why it still needs attention
Many small business owners assume that once their website is live, the job is done. But here’s the truth: a website isn’t a one-time project—it’s an ongoing commitment. Think of it as a shopfront. If it looks neglected, is hard to navigate, or hasn’t been refreshed in years, potential customers might walk away. Regular maintenance and updates (back-end stuff) and fresh content (front-end stuff) are what keep your website relevant, engaging, and working hard for your business.
Your website should feel effortless to use.
If visitors can’t find what they’re looking for quickly, they won’t stick around. This is known as user experience or UX. Clear and easy navigation is key. This means:
Using simple menu labels and linking to your internal pages so people know exactly where to click.
Including keywords in your navigation titles and page headings—this not only helps visitors but also boosts your search engine optimisation (SEO) – more about this later.
Structuring pages logically, with clear sections and headings.
But UX doesn’t stop there. Accessibility matters, too.
Over half of web traffic now comes from mobile devices. Your site needs to load quickly and look great on any screen size, from phones to tablets.
Use readable fonts, ensure text contrasts well with backgrounds, and include alt text for images so everyone can access your content.
Make sure people can find you.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) helps your website appear in search results when potential customers are looking for businesses like yours.
Use targeted keywords in headings, page titles, meta descriptions, and throughout your site content—but always in a way that feels natural.
Write clear, compelling meta descriptions for each page, as they’re often what searchers see first in Google results. Not sure about your metadata? Check with your web develop or reach out to a digital marketer (hi!) to get this checked for you.
Add fresh content like blogs, updates, or new services signal to search engines that your site is active and relevant. Make sure you link to your social media platforms too!
An optimised website doesn’t just help people find you—it builds trust and authority in your field.
What every homepage should include.
Your homepage is often the first impression visitors have of your business, so it needs to deliver. Here are the essentials:
Who you are and what you do: Be upfront and clear—don’t make visitors guess.
Your unique selling point: Why should someone choose your business over a competitor?
Testimonials and reviews: These build trust and show you deliver results.
Strong visuals: Use professional, high-quality images that reflect your brand.
Clear calls to action (CTAs): Tell people what to do next—whether it’s “Get in touch,” “Book a consultation,” or “Browse our services.”
You should also consider showcasing your regular content like blogs, news, or updates.
Get results by regularly checking your website’s performance.
A well-maintained website doesn’t just look good—it works for your business. Regular performance checks help ensure that your site is doing its job effectively:
Website platforms frequently roll out updates to improve performance and security. If these aren’t applied, your site could slow down, become vulnerable to hackers, or stop functioning correctly.
Are people finding your site? Are they staying on it? Tracking visitor numbers, page views, and bounce rates can reveal whether your content is attracting the right audience or needs a refresh.
Over time, links break, pages move, and information becomes outdated. Regular reviews prevent frustrating user experiences and lost opportunities.
If you’re updating content, make sure it follows best practices—well-structured, optimised with keywords, and offering value to your audience.
If you’re not regularly checking these things, your website might not be helping your business as much as it could.
Not sure where to start? That’s where I come in.
I offer tailored website packages that handle the updates, security checks, and performance reports—so you can focus on what you do best.
Need fresh content? I’ve got packages for that too. If your website has been sitting untouched for a while, I can run an audit to identify what’s working, what’s not, and how to improve it.
Don’t let an outdated website hold your business back. Let’s get it working for you!
